“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.” (Proverbs 22:1, NIV)

It all started when I offered a lunch and a prayer to the homeless in downtown Norfolk. Sometimes the lunch was turned down, but never the prayer. I ask for a name and whatever barriers or fears seemed to dissipate. Their name and prayer became personal. Calling on Jesus and laying that person by name at the foot of the cross becomes Holy Spirit filled prayer. I write their name in my bible and commit to pray for them. I know their name and we are blessed.

Those early years talking, enjoying lunch, and praying with the homeless were the foundation of both ministries God led me to create, ABBA List then CAST, Chesapeake Area Shelter Team. The first season of CAST, I met a guest named Horace. He was a tall African American man, a regular in CAST, seeking emergency winter shelter from the cold. When I visited the host church, he would greet me with a huge smile and we would always talk. I believe this must have been God-assigned. The Lord brought Horace across my path many times and at each church we would have conversations that slowly but surely allowed me a glimpse into his world. He told me about the balcony of an abandoned building he was able to sleep on. He bragged that he had a mattress and plenty of blankets. He smiled each time he shared his stories of a raccoon that he fed. Horace would tell me the story over and over again over the weeks of the CAST season and I would listen not sure he remembered telling me before or that he just wanted to engage and didn’t know what else to say. Being one of the leaders of CAST, I drop in at CAST host churches to see how things are going and to offer support. One night as I entered the church, the first person I see smiling at me is Horace. He covers His nametag with his hand and asks, “What’s my name?” For a split second I panic because I am not good with names, but the Lord is good and I remember the names of the homeless. I say, “Horace!” He smiles and says, “Don’t ever forget me.” It was his birthday that night and I remember feeling the surprise that Horace and I were the same age yet he looked 15 years my senior.

Weeks go by and Horace’s drinking makes him harder to handle in CAST. The man that sometimes hires him during the day to sweep his parking lot pays him with beer. But Horace manages to keep himself under control in shelter. We all try to help him keep it under control so he can have a warm place to rest his head.

Horace hints to me at times that he can sing and not always knowing what to talk about with him, I encourage him to sing, week after week. Then one evening at dinner, he announces to me he is ready to sing….right now, right there during dinner. So, I hush the group and Horace sings a beautiful gospel song in a deep baritone voice. It was beautiful. Afterwards you could hear a pin drop. It was one of those amazing moments, such a voice, such a gift. I could tell Horace was embarrassed yet pleased with himself. At that moment, I get to connect to his past. He is as all of our homeless guests are…someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, son. Horace was no doubt the lost son of a Christian family with a gorgeous voice singing the songs he heard in church long ago. Now, he is chronically homeless, addicted to alcohol and drugs, and living day to day, hour to hour to survive. I see him a few more times over the final weeks of winter shelter flashing that familiar smile amidst the new church setting and ever increasing group of homeless guests.

I hear rumors that Horace got in trouble and went to jail. Some say it was to dry out, others said to get medical care. I learn later that Horace was sick and died. I think about his porch, the raccoon, his isolation, his smile, his song. I remember his words,

I don’t know about you, but being still is tough for me. Yet I need to hear God. He catches my attention and gives me clues to come sit with Him. I have a special place designated so that I know when I sit in my sunroom, I focus on Him. I sit and be quiet. I try to do this daily. I have to force myself to turn off my brain and not think of the next zillion things. It gets easier and the special place helps. I seek to hear Him in the quiet waiting, by saying prayers then waiting, by reading scripture I feel prompted to read….sometimes it is a random opening of the bible and indeed it blesses me then I wait.

My continuous prayer is to do ALL the Lord has assigned. I do not want to miss anything, because I want to make my Heavenly Father proud. I also often ask Him to speak to me Lord, show me Lord, and in His own way and in His own time He does. Trust in the soft promptings to kneel or even praise. Feel free to speak the prayer out loud and boldly. If the thought hits during your time of prayer do it. You are doing it in faith and your faith builds and your hearing increases.

Last night I had much on my mind and I needed to talk to my ABBA, my heavenly Father and so I kneel on the landing on the 2nd floor of my home to pray over my family, pray over my friends, submit my petitions to the Lord, and let Him know that I NEEDED to hear from Him. I needed to know if I was on the path He had assigned. The next morning, I woke from a dream of my doing just what I felt He had assigned the next chapter in my life to do!

Rick Warren states, “God says he will give you the wisdom you need to recognize his voice and follow through on what He says.” “It is the Lord who gives wisdom; from him come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6 TEV). And with this, you become clear and confidently walk forward seemingly against all odds and know that you that you know that you walk through doors He alone has opened.

I like stories, God-stories and I have had the chance to share many. It is my greatest privilege to do so because it honors God. Although I still get nervous, sometimes tongue-tied, and definitely shed a tear or two speaking to congregations, church groups, organizational dinners, awards ceremonies…I love sharing the stories! God-stories honor God and what He has done.

Today I begin sharing the stories on a website that was launched in August of 2010, six fast years ago. It is aptly named ABBA List. “Father God’s” list to help people find free help, support and resources in their time of need.

Our board of directors, all volunteer, work behind the scenes to find, list, and effectively get the word about the free resources in our community of Hampton Roads. Next month, September 2016, marks 5 years as a 501c3 nonprofit.We occasionally hear “the end of the story” and relish each one knowing that God is encouraging us along the way.

In the winter of 2012, I get a simple website email from Frank saying, “I’m hungry.” This day I am so grateful to be at my computer. To reach me, I know he’s on the website and wonder if he searched the site. I respond and after a few back and forth email questions, I direct him to a food source that I believe can fill his immediate need. Then I sit in silence at my computer. Nothing more I can do, so I pray. A few days later he emails, “It worked. Your food list worked. I got food. Thank you, thank you.” To God be the glory!

Just recently, I was at an outdoor arts event and an ABBA List display was on a nearby table. I stood nearby as a group of 3 men talked about various needs. One quite animated pointed to the display and said, “Look it up on the ABBA List!” He explained, “It’s like “Angie’s List”, but for resources!” I think my heart smiled….no, I KNOW my heart smiled. Six years later and the community is passing it on. Praise God!